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Chlorooganic xenobiotics (XBs) such as DDT, DDE, aldrin and dieldrin interfere with release of hormones from chorionic villi that are necessary for sustaining the normal course pregnancy: prostaglandins (PGs), oxytocin (OT), progesterone (P 4 ) and estradiol (E 2 ). Approximately 20 %-40 % of these hormones originate from the smooth chorion. The aim of current studies was to investigate effects of these XBs on synthesis and release of PGE 2 , PGF 2α , OT, P 4 and E 2 from explants of smooth chorion of cattle, obtained during the120-150 and 151-180 day gestational period. Explants were incubated with DDT, DDE, aldrin or dieldrin at concentrations of 1 and 10 ng/mL for 24 h, and concentrations of PGE 2 , PGF 2α , OT, P 4 and E 2 in post incubation medium and the relative abundances of COX-2, PTGES, AKR1B1, NP-I/OT, PAM, HSD3B, and CYP19A1 mRNA transcripts in tissue explants were determined. The XBs did not have effects on cell viability in explants (P > 0.05), however, there were effects on prostaglandins, OT and P 4 secretion and relative abundance of mRNA transcript for genes encoding the main enzymes involved in synthesis of these hormones (P < 0.05). The XBs that were evaluated did not have effects on E 2 synthesis and secretion (P > 0.05). In summary, XBs evaluated in the present study had effects on the pattern of prostaglandin secretion, and can increase OT and P 4 release from smooth chorion explants. Because XBs inhibit hormonal action throughout the chorion, there is an increase in risk of abortions or premature births in animals., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We examined the direct effects of toxaphene and endrin, chlorinated insecticides that are widespread in the environment, on myometrial contractions and on the secretion of hormones involved in regulating these contractions. Granulosa, luteal, endometrial and myometrial cells, and myometrial strips from non-pregnant cows were incubated with both insecticides at environmentally relevant doses. Toxaphene inhibited and endrin stimulated the secretion of testosterone and oestradiol from granulosa cells. Toxaphene also inhibited and endrin stimulated the expression of the mRNA encoding the precursor of oxytocin (OT), as well OT secretion in luteal cell cultures. Moreover, endrin increased OT secretion from granulosa cells. Neither insecticide exerted an effect on progesterone secretion from luteal cells. Only toxaphene decreased the secretion of prostaglandins (PGF2 and PGE2) from endometrial cells. Meanwhile, only endrin decreased basal myometrial contractions, which was accompanied by inhibition of PGF2 secretion from the myometrium. Both endrin and toxaphene also decreased the force of the OT-stimulated myometrial contractions, whereas only toxaphene inhibited the stimulatory effect of OT on the force of myometrial contractions. In contrast to endrin, toxaphene decreased synthesis and secretion of one of the primary stimulators of myometrial contractions (OT) and indirectly inhibited OT signal reception in the myometrium by reducing E2 secretion. Both insecticides decreased OT-stimulated myometrial contractions; therefore, they may inhibit further transmission of the OT signal. Moreover, endrin inhibited basal myometrial contractions, potentially resulting from reduced PGF2 secretion from the myometrium. Our data indicate the potential of these insecticides to disturb the course of the oestrous cycle or fertilisation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolite (DDE) belong to estrogen-like endocrine disruptors. However, though their activity is approximately 1000-fold lower than the activity of estradiol (E2), this steroid's high concentration in follicular fluid and incubation media does not inhibit the influence of these xenobiotics. It was hypothesized that these xenobiotics might affect Steroidogenic Factor-1 (SF-1) and impair ovary function. To test this hypothesis, granulosa cells were obtained from ovarian follicles >1 or <1cm in diameter, which were treated with PCB-77, PCB-153, DDT or DDE (each at 10ng/ml), alone or jointly with an SF-1 antagonist (F0160). Treatment with the SF-1 antagonist inhibited (P<0.05) the secretion of P4 from cells of both sizes of follicles, as induced (P<0.05) by an SF-1 activator (HxP), DDE or PCB-153. All xenobiotics and HxP stimulated (P<0.05) the synthesis and secretion of oxytocin (OT). However, the effect on mRNA expression for NP-I/OT, which is OT precursor, was inhibited (P<0.05) by F0160 in all cultures treated with PCB-77, except for granulosa cells derived from follicles <1cm. Moreover, F0160 inhibited the effect on OT secretion of HxP, as well as all xenobiotics except for PCB-77 and DDE, in granulosa cells derived from follicles <1cm. Xenobiotic treatment did not affect (P>0.05) the expression for SF-1 mRNA. It is suggested that the SF-1 receptor may be involved in the adverse effects of xenobiotics on P4 secretion as well as the synthesis and secretion of OT., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The orphan receptor Steroidogenic Factor-1 (SF-1, NR5A1), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is present in fetal and adult steroidogenic tissues and also participates in the regulation of ovarian function. In this study, the expression levels of SF-1 mRNA and protein were determined in granulosa cells (from follicles >1cm and <1cm in diameter) and luteal tissue (from days 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-19 of the estrous cycle and weeks 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 of pregnancy). Additionally, the effects of a synthetic SF-1 stimulator (4-(heptyloxy)phenol - HxP; 1×10(-7)M) and a synthetic SF-1 inhibitor (F0160; 1×10(-5)M) on the secretion of estradiol and oxytocin (OT) from granulosa cells (from follicles>1cm) and the secretion of progesterone (P4) and OT from luteal cells (days 11-16 of the estrous cycle) were investigated. The levels of SF-1 mRNA and protein were higher in granulosa cells (P<0.05) from follicles>1cm than in cells from follicles<1cm. In luteal tissue, the mRNA abundance was the highest (P<0.05) on days 6-10 of the estrous cycle, and the amount of protein was the highest on days 6-15 (P<0.05). The lowest levels of mRNA and protein for SF-1 were observed on days 16-19 of the estrous cycle (P<0.05). The abundance of SF-1 mRNA decreased at 9-12 weeks of pregnancy (P<0.05). The stimulation of the studied cells with HxP increased P4 and estradiol secretion from luteal and granulosa cells, respectively, and OT secretion from both types of cells. The SF-1 inhibitor did not affect hormone secretion by either type of cell, but it did diminish the effect induced by the SF-1 stimulator. The obtained data revealed estrous cycle-dependent levels of mRNA and protein for SF-1 in luteal tissue, and the use of a specific SF-1 stimulator and a specific SF-1 inhibitor confirmed the involvement of this receptor in steroidogenesis and OT secretion from cultured granulosa and luteal cells. These findings suggest that the SF-1 receptor participates in the local regulation of ovarian function during both the estrous cycle and the first trimester of pregnancy in cows. Furthermore, the concentrations of the SF-1 inhibitor and stimulator that we used in the primary cell culture could effectively modify the activity of this receptor., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cortisol stimulates the synthesis and secretion of oxytocin (OT) from bovine granulosa and luteal cells, but the molecular mechanisms of cortisol action remain unknown. In this study, granulosa cells or luteal cells from days 1-5 and 11-15 of the oestrous cycle were incubated for 4 or 8 h with cortisol (1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-7) M). After testing cell viability and hormone secretion (OT, progesterone, estradiol), we studied the effect of cortisol on mRNA expression for precursor of OT (NP-I/OT) and peptidyl glycine-alpha-amidating mono-oxygenase (PGA). The influence of RU 486 (1 x 10(-5) M), a progesterone receptor blocker and inhibitor of the glucocorticosteroid receptor (GR), on the expression for both genes was tested. Cortisol increased the mRNA expression for NP-I/OT and PGA in granulosa cells and stimulated the expression for NP-I/OT mRNA in luteal cells obtained from days 1-5 and days 11-15 of the oestrous cycle. Expression for PGA mRNA was increased only in luteal cells from days 11-15 of the oestrous cycle. In addition, RU 486 blocked the cortisol-stimulated mRNA expression for NP-I/OT and PGA in both types of cells. These data suggest that cortisol affects OT synthesis and secretion in bovine ovarian cells, by acting on the expression of key genes, that may impair ovary

The current investigations were undertaken to study the mechanism of the adverse effect of phytoestrogens on the function of bovine granulosa (follicles >1< cm in diameter) and luteal cells from day 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-19 of the oestrous cycle. The cells were incubated with genistein, daidzein or coumestrol (each at the dose of 1 × 10(-6) m). The viability and secretion of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and oxytocin (OT) were measured after 72 h of incubation. Moreover, the expression of mRNA for neurophysin-I/OT (NP-I/OT; precursor of OT) and peptidyl-glycine-α-amidating monooxygenase (PGA, an enzyme responsible for post-translational OT synthesis) was determined after 8 h of treatment. None of the phytoestrogens used affected the viability of cells except for coumestrol. The increased secretion of E2 and P4 was only obtained by coumestrol (p<0.05) from granulosa cells from follicles <1cm in diameter and decreased from luteal cells on days 11-15 of the oestrous cycle, respectively. All three phytoestrogens stimulated (p<0.05) OT secretion from granulosa and luteal cells in all stages of the oestrous cycle and the expression of NP-I/OT mRNA in the both types of cells. The expression of mRNA for PGA was stimulated (p<0.05) by daidzein and coumestrol in granulosa cells, and by genistein and coumestrol in luteal cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that these phytoestrogens can impair the ovary function in cattle by adversely affecting the synthesis of OT in follicles and in corpus luteum. However, their influence on the ovarian steroids secretion was less evident., (© 2009 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Chloro-organic compounds are persistent environmental pollutants and affect many reproductive processes. Oxytocin (OT) synthesized in luteal cells is a local regulator of ovarian activity and uterine contractions. Therefore the effect of xenobiotics on the OT prohormone synthesis, secretion of OT and progesterone (P4) from luteal cells and on myometrial contractions during early pregnancy in cows was investigated. Luteal cells and myometrial strips from a cow at early pregnancy were treated with polychlorinated biphenyl 77 (PCB 77), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (1 or 10 ng/ml). The mRNA expression of neurophysin-I/oxytocin (NP-I/OT) and peptidyl-glycine-alpha-amidating mono-oxygenase (PGA) and concentration of OT and P4 were determined by RT-PCR and EIA, respectively. Moreover, the effect of xenobiotics given with P4 (12 ng/ml) on the basal and OT (10(-7)M) stimulated contractions of myometrial strips was studied. Xenobiotics increased (P<0.05) OT secretion but DDE only stimulated P4 secretion. The ratio of P4 to OT in culture medium was decreased by all xenobiotics during 9-12 weeks of pregnancy. All xenobiotics, except HCH, increased (P<0.05) mRNA expression of NP-I/OT during all stages of pregnancy and all treatments decreased (P<0.05) expression of mRNA for PGA during 9-12 weeks of pregnancy. Myometrial strips were relaxed (P<0.01) after pre-incubation with P4, while each of the xenobiotics jointly with P4 increased (P<0.01) myometrial contractions. In conclusion, the xenobiotics used increased both expression of mRNA for genes involved in OT synthesis and secretion of OT from luteal cells. This decreases the ratio of P4 to OT and presumably, in this manner, the chloro-organic compounds can influence uterine contractions and enhance risk of abortions in pregnant females., (2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners (PCB 77, PCB 126, PCB 153) and their technical mixture-Aroclor (Ar) 1248, as well as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolite-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE; two individual isomers p,p'- and o,p'- or their mixture, 95% and 5%, respectively) at the dose of 10 ng/ml each, on the gene expression of (a) oxytocin (OT) precursor-neurophysin-oxytocin (NP-I/OT) and (b) peptidyl glycine-alpha-amidating mono-oxygenase (PGA), the terminal enzyme in the pathway of OT synthesis, was studied. Granulosa cells from follicles >1cm in diameter, collected on days 19-21 of estrous cycle, and luteal cells from corpora lutea (CL) collected on days 8-12 of the estrous cycle were used. The cells were incubated (6h) with these xenobiotics and the expression of NP-I/OT and PGA genes was determined. All PCBs increased (P<0.05) NP-I/OT gene expression in granulosa cells. Similarly, all PCBs but PCB 126 increased (P<0.05) PGA gene expression in these cells. DDT and DDE increased (P<0.05) gene expression of NP-I/OT in granulosa cells, while gene expression of PGA in these cells was stimulated (P<0.05) by DDE only. The mRNA expression for NP-I/OT and PGA in luteal cells was increased (P<0.05) by PCB 77 and PCB 153. Both DDE isomers and mixture also stimulated (P<0.05) of NP-I/OT mRNA expression, while increase (P<0.05) of PGA mRNA expression was elicited by incubation of these cells with DDE mixture and Ar 1248. Obtained data suggest that PCBs, DDT and DDE can affect the mRNA expression for NP-I/OT and PGA in bovine granulosa and luteal cells.

The influence of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolite (DDE) on the uterine prostaglandin (PGF2alpha and PGE2) and ovarian oxytocin (OT) secretion was investigated. Endometrial, granulosa and luteal cells from cows and heifers on 8-12 days of estrous cycle were treated (24-72h) with DDT, mixture or individual isomer (p,p'-, o,p'-) of DDE (0.1, 1 or 10ng/ml). The viability of cells and the concentrations of hormones in medium were determinted. Neither DDT nor DDE affected (P>0.05) the viability of cells, while they stimulated (P<0.05) PGF2alpha and reduced (P<0.001) PGE2 secretion from endometrial cells. Hence the ratio of PGF2alpha to PGE2 was markedly changed. Used pollutants also increased (P<0.05) OT secretion from ovarian cells. It is concluded that DDT and its metabolite impair PGF2alpha, PGE2 and OT secretion from uterus and ovary, respectively, and this way they can affect the course of estrous cycle in cattle.

Pregnancy disorders are often correlated with the presence of organic pollutants in the tissues of living bodies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects (over 24 and 48 hours) of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 153, 126, and 77 at doses of 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL on barrier function and secretory activity in cow placentome sections collected during the second trimester of pregnancy. None of the PCBs affected the viability of the sections (P > 0.05). Polychlorinated biphenyl 153 decreased (P < 0.05) connexin 26 ( Cx 26 ) mRNA expression, and all three PCBs reduced (P < 0.05) Cx 43 mRNA expression. Cx 32 mRNA expression showed a downward trend (P > 0.05) under the influence of PCBs 126 and 77. Moreover, PCBs 153 and 126 increased keratin 8 ( KRT8 ) mRNA expression, whereas all PCBs decreased (P < 0.05) placenta specific protein 1 ( PLAC-1 ) mRNA expression without changing (P > 0.05) hypoxia inducible factor 1α ( HIF1α ) mRNA expression. Concomitantly, PCBs 153 and 126 stimulated (P < 0.05) cyclooxygenase 2 ( COX-2 ) mRNA expression, all PCBs increased (P < 0.05) prostaglandin E2 synthase ( PGES ) mRNA expression, and PCBs 126 and 77 increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion. All three PCBs decreased (P < 0.05) prostaglandin F2α synthase ( PGFS ) mRNA expression and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) secretion. In addition, all three PCBs increased (P < 0.05) neurophysin I/oxytocin ( NP-I/OT ) mRNA expression and OT secretion but did not affect peptidyl-glycine-α-amidating monooxygenase ( PGA ) mRNA expression (P > 0.05). Moreover, the PCBs increased (P < 0.05) estradiol (E2) secretion, whereas progesterone (P4) secretion remained unchanged (P > 0.05). These changes could affect trophoblast invasion and uterine contractility and thus impact the course of gestation and/or fetal development in the cow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disorders in the barrier function and secretory activity of the placenta can be caused by xenobiotics (XB) present in the environment and their accumulation in tissues of living organisms. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,-bis-4-chlorophenyl-ethane (DDT) and its metabolite 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis-4-chlorophenyl-ethene (DDE) (for 24 or 48 h) at doses of 1, 10 or 100 ng/ml on the function of cow placentome sections in the second trimester of pregnancy. DDT and DDE affected neither (P > 0.05) the viability nor hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1α) mRNA expression of the sections. XB decreased (P < 0.05) connexin (Cx) 26, 32, 43 and placenta-specific 1 (PLAC-1) mRNA expression but did not affect (P > 0.05) keratin 8 (KRT8) mRNA expression. DDT and DDE also reduced (P < 0.05) prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) synthase (PGFS) mRNA expression, while DDT increased (P < 0.05) prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthase (PGES) mRNA expression. Neither cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) mRNA expression nor PGF2α and PGE2 secretion were affected. Both DDT and DDE increased (P < 0.05) neurophysin I/oxytocin (NP1/OT) mRNA expression and oxytocin (OT), oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) secretion while DDT stimulated only 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) mRNA expression (P < 0.05). In summary, DDT and DDE impaired the barrier function and secretory activity of the placenta. Thus, these compounds can disrupt trophoblast invasion, myometrium contractility and gas/nutrient exchange throughout pregnancy in cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The orphan receptor steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) is involved in the regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis in cows. It is hypothesized that estrogen-like chlorinated compounds might affect SF-1, and thus impair the function of the ovary. Bovine luteal cells from the estrous cycle (Days: 1–5, 6–10, 11–15, and 16–19) were treated for 50 hours with DDT, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethene, 3,3′4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl or 2′2′4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (each at a dose of 10 ng/mL). Luteal cells were also treated with 4-(heptyloxy)phenol (1 × 10−7 M), an SF-1 agonist, and F0160 (1 × 10−6 M), an SF-1 blocker, jointly or separately. The secretion of progesterone and oxytocin and the expression of oxytocin precursor (NP-I/OT) messenger RNA were increased (P < 0.05) by all studied xenobiotics and 4-(heptyloxy)phenol, although they were inhibited (P < 0.05) by F0160. However, the xenobiotics did not affect (P > 0.05) SF-1 messenger RNA expression. In summary, SF-1 is involved in the adverse effect of chlorinated xenobiotics on the regulation of the bovine CL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Progesterone (P4) was found to interfere directly with the interaction of oxytocin (OT) with its own receptor in bovine endometrium. The aim of these studies was to investigate whether other steroids have a similar effect. Endometrial slices and epithelial endometrial cells from days 14 to 18 of the estrous cycle were used. Progesterone (P4), pregnenolone (P5), 17β-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP4), the P4 receptor antagonist (aP4), and testosterone (T4) did not affect (P >0.01) basal secretion of PGE2 and PGF 2α during 4h of incubation but all steroids inhibited (P &#60;0.05) OT-stimulated PGF2α secretion both from endometrial slices and from dispersed cells. None of the steroids used affected OT-stimulated PGE2 secretion from the cells (P >0.01). In the next experiment it was studied whether P5, 17-OHP4 and P4 pretreatment for 30min modifies intracellular mobilization of Ca2+ in response to OT. Oxytocin induced a rapid increase in intracellular Ca2+concentrations within 15s, while cells pretreated with steroids this increase occurred later. The total amount of intracellular Ca2+concentrations was lower (P &#60;0.05) in cells preincubated with steroids compared to controls. We conclude that steroids and aP4 are able to suppress OT-stimulated endometrial PGE2 and PGF2α secretion via a non-genomic pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In vitro experiments on oviducts of cyclic cows were undertaken to study: (1) the content of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) in infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus, (2) the concentration of oxytocin receptors (OTR) in oviductal tissues and (3) the motility of ampulla and isthmus. Changes of DA content were observed in the infundibulum and the ampulla with maximal values occurring on Days 6–10 of the estrous cycle. The mean NA content was greatest in infundibulum. NA concentrations were the highest in the isthmus on Days 1–5 and 16–21, whereas in infundibulum NA levels were low during the whole estrous cycle. Mean A content was the highest (P<0.001) in the isthmus and in the studied regions of the oviduct A content decreased from Days 1–5 to Days 16–21 (P<0.01). Oxytocin receptors densities were measured in oviducts collected from cows on Days 16–21 (277.1±151.4 fmol/mg protein; Kd 20.5±10.9 nM). Oxytocin (10−7 M) increased the area under the contractile curve (AUC) of the ampulla and the isthmus on Days 16–21 and of the isthmus on Days 1–5 (P<0.01). Acetylcholine (Ach) (10−7 M) stimulated the ampulla and the isthmus contractions on Days 1–5 (P<0.05) and ampulla contractions on Days 6–10 and 16–21 (P<0.01). NA (10−5 M) relaxed the ampulla and the isthmus during most of the studied days but was most effective on Days 1–5 and 16–21 (P<0.01). In conclusion: (a) catecholamine content in the bovine oviduct varies by region and phase of the estrous cycle, (b) the presence of OTR and the stimulatory effect of oxytocin on oviduct motility are evident in the follicular-phase cows, (c) Ach and NA modify contractile activity in the oviduct of cows during follicular and early-luteal phases and (d) the studied oviductal parameters did not differ by ipsilateral and contralateral relationships to the active ovary in cow. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]